Donor Relations Manager

Summer Search•New York City, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Summer Search, we believe in 'No Ceilings' and envision a world in which young people, regardless of circumstances, can chart their own destiny. In the United States, students from underserved communities – disproportionately BIPOC and first-generation – face systemic inequities in school, in the workforce, and in life. Nevertheless, these young people possess unique strengths, resilience, and limitless potential. Since 1990, Summer Search has partnered with young people during their transition from adolescence into adulthood by connecting them to expansive opportunities, professional mentoring, and a community of support. Summer Searchers recognize their potential and build a toolkit to navigate and challenge systemic barriers, break new ground for their families and communities, and achieve economic equity and a life of purpose. THE OPPORTUNITY The Donor Relations Manager is a key member of the Summer Search NYC development team and plays an essential role in advancing the Summer Search NYC’s fundraising goals through relationship-based philanthropy, thoughtful donor engagement, and strong execution. Reporting to the Senior Director of Development, the Donor Relations Manager will serve as a critical partner to the Senior Director by translating fundraising strategy into action, maintaining strong donor engagement practices, and ensuring consistent progress toward revenue goals. This role is ideal for a fundraiser who enjoys building authentic relationships, managing a portfolio, driving projects forward, and contributing to the systems and practices needed to build a high-performing development function. This hire will join a collaborative and mission-driven team of 18 Summer Search NYC staff.

Requirements

At least four years of experience in a development/ fundraising role with demonstrated success in cultivating and stewarding individual donors, and preferably, experience holding a portfolio of individual donors.
Experience supporting or managing fundraising campaigns or development initiatives.
Experience with a Development Moves Management system including creating reports and analyzing and tracking data is required.
All Summer Search staff bring a commitment to our mission of unleashing students’ potential through mentoring and transformative experiences, as well as the ability to thrive in an environment that values excellence, gratitude, well-being, diversity, authenticity, and collaboration.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with NYC philanthropic networks and/or experience in youth development or education organizations are a plus.
Experience with Raiser’s Edge NXT is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage and grow a portfolio of individual donors and prospects with an annual goal of approximately $500k through thoughtful cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship.
Manage a portfolio of donors and prospects with a focus on increasing engagement and philanthropic investment.
Build and maintain a qualified fundraising pipeline of approximately $500K.
Develop and execute donor cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship strategies.
Partner with the Senior Director on major gift cultivation strategies and donor conversations.
Maintain disciplined moves management practices, including tracking outreach, engagement, next steps, and relationship progress in the CRM.
Support the execution of fundraising strategies and initiatives that advance annual revenue goals.
Support annual giving strategies designed to engage and retain individual donors.
Support major gift efforts through prospect research, donor preparation, cultivation activities, and follow-up.
Support the planning and execution of fundraising events, including the annual gala.
Partner with the Senior Director to evaluate fundraising progress and adjust strategies as needed.
Support efforts to activate Board and Associate Board members as ambassadors and fundraising partners.
Support Associate Board engagement strategies, meetings, communications, and activities.
Provide tools, resources, and information that enable volunteer leaders to participate effectively in fundraising.
Partner with the Senior Director to strengthen volunteer engagement and relationship-building efforts.
Contribute to the systems and practices that enable a high-performing development function.
Prepare reports, tracking documents, and updates to support fundraising decision-making.
Support revenue tracking, pipeline reporting, and fundraising forecasting processes.
Contribute to improving development systems, workflows, and team practices.
Serve as a collaborative member of the Summer Search NYC community.
Partner with Program, Finance, Marketing, and other teams to support fundraising priorities.
Develop strong understanding of Summer Search’s impact, programs, and student outcomes.
Represent Summer Search NYC professionally with donors, volunteers, and community partners.
Contribute to a culture of accountability, learning, collaboration, and shared ownership.

Benefits

Medical insurance with up to 90% employer contribution
Dental, vision, FSA, life and disability insurance plans
401 (K) and Employer Match up to $2,000 annually
Generous time off including 15 vacation days, 10 sick days, and 18 holidays (2 floating holidays of your choice, a birthday day-off, 10 company-wide holidays, and a 1-week December closure).
Refresh Friday’s – a paid day off the first Friday of every month!
A comprehensive Employee Recognition Program (years of service awards, spot awards, and professional development funding).
A four-week paid sabbatical after five years of continuous employment.
Individual, local, regional and national training
An organizational culture that supports staff well-being and holistic self-care/community care
Ample opportunities to connect with the students and communities we serve.